Vbac

I'd love to hear some (non-horror) experiences with VBAC, particularly what people have done to help them prepare and what they would have done differently in hindsight. My son was born by emergency c-section 5 years ago, my waters broke and nothing happened so I was induced and he went into distress. Fast forward 3.5 years and I had been planning on an elective c-section to deliver my daughter, however she passed away at 38 + 2 and after some encouragement (/persuasion) from medical staff I attempted and was 'successful' having a VBAC following induction.

2 years on and I have another little one on the way. The midwives and OB are happy for me to deliver bub however I want, and to be honest it can change from one minute to the next, however I am thinking of attempting another VBAC as I want to get the heck out of hospital asap.

I won't be allowed to go over 38 weeks but I've been told they will only consider stretch and sweeps and the Foley catheter for induction, even though last time I had gel, waters broken and a syntocin drip which was upped a few times. As I will be induced and I have never naturally gone into labour, I am keen to try anything that may increase my chances of success. I have started raspberry leaf tea and eating dates daily (EW!), and I'm trying to keep up my exercise. Poor DP has been put on notice that I will be after his sperm in a few weeks

I'd love to hear what did and didn't work for others regarding preparation for a VBAC as well as any experiences or advice for the labour/birth itself.

Hi Tainted
Congrats on expecting another Bub!
My first was an emergency c section 5 years ago and 13 months after that I had a successful VBAC. I think the key was going into labour naturally which you can't really control but I inserted EPO and also took it from a few weeks before and managed to go into labour naturally four days overdue and have a successful VBAC.
I then went on to have an elective c section 3 years later which was also fantastic.
Good luck!

The Following User Says Thank You to hazzyj For This Useful Post:

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I had a very similar experience in regard to your first birth, my 2nd birth was identical where i ended up with an emergency C so when I fell pregnant the 3rd time i did do a vba2c. I did have contractions but they had to break my waters. It still took nearly 30 hours til ds came out.. Anyhoo, i drank raspberry leaf tea daily and used the evening primrose oil as well but the ep oil is inserted inside.. I think it all helped. Certainly made a difference compared to the other births.

The Following User Says Thank You to GlitterFarts For This Useful Post:

Thanks for sharing! I have done a little reading on EPO but have come across some conflicting information about increased risk of damage to c-section scarring. I'll add this to my rapidly expanding list of questions for the OB

Hello Tainted.
I had my DS 5 yrs ago by emergency c section, following a failed induction at 42+5, then have had two VBACs since. My DD1 almost 3 yrs ago and my dd2 7 months ago.
To prepare my body for a natural labour I took raspberry leaf capsules from 30 weeks and had acupuncture from 35 weeks. I also used acupressure points at home, as well as having regular sex. My midwife started stretch and sweeps from 41 weeks when my cervix was favourable (at 40 weeks it wasn't) and my DD1 was born a day after the third sweep. I was so happy to have achieved a natural labour.
My dd2 was born at 40+2 after no intervention whatsoever, no sweeps etc, I only took raspberry leaf capsules during that pregnancy and also 5 fresh dates a day. There is research/evidence to show how this improves labour outcomes, my midwife showed me. :-)
So, I know you won't be allowed to go over 38 weeks but I would be using raspberry leaf capsules rather than drinking tea ( more potent I believe), eating 5 dates a day (make them into bliss balls if you prefer) and consult a pregnancy acupuncturist to see when they suggest you start. :-) I truly think those things helped my first vbac, the second one my body just knew what to do. :-)
All the best and good luck.

The Following User Says Thank You to Bond Girl For This Useful Post:

I had a successful VBAC in March and I think the best thing I did was to prepare physically and mentally - I did regular prenatal yoga classes with a local yogi/doula and an active birth workshop with DH. Even though we had previously done a calmbirth class (before my emergency c sec 5 years ago), I felt so much more prepared this time. I think if you can find a really good prenatal yoga class this does incredible things to prepare your body and mind for birth. I used a combination of calm birth and hypnobirth techniques plus a lot of active labor positioning and was able to birth my posterior Bub without any drugs - I didn't even think about it during labor.

If you have laboured before (so so sorry to hear about your loss), your body will know what to do - you absolutely need to trust your body and allow it to do its thing. Also choose your birthing team carefully and ensure they're aware and supportive of your preferences.

I also would suggest considering acupuncture for induction. I went into labor the day before I had booked in (40 +2), but have heard excellent things from others who have used it for this.

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